Location marker

ABSTRACT

A location marking device having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, brightly colored curved plastic tube members. These members can be secured to lines near air fields to mark their location. The tubes are arranged to present an optical illusion of rotation when viewed by a person in a moving vehicle.

United States Patent Schlein [54] LOCATION MARKER [72] Inventor: Seymour M. Schlein, University Heights, Ohio Assignee: The Fanner Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio Filed: March 23, 1970 Appl. No.: 24,925

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 660,536, June 13, 1967, Pat; No. 3,521,569, which is a continuation-inpart of Ser. No. 593,100, Nov. 9, 1966, abandoned.

US. Cl, ..,...ll6/l14, 40/125 J, 116/63 P Int. Cl. .;...G0ld 21/00 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,183,883 '5/1965 Ruhlmanetal ..116/114R A location marking device having a plurality of cir- Field of Search ..116/63, 63 P, 114; 40/125 1, I

[151 3,683,843 [451 Aug. 15, 1972 3,253,571 5/1966 Williams ..116/114 R Fri/nary Examiner-15ouis J Capozi Attorney-William N. Hogg ABSTRACT cumferentially spaced, brightly colored curved plastic tube members. These members can be secured to lines near air fields to mark their location. The tubes are arranged to present an optical illusion of rotation when viewed by a person in a moving vehicle.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures LOCATION MARKER This is a division of application Ser. No. 660,536, filed June 13, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,521,569, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 593,100, filed Nov. 9, 1966 entitled, Location Marking Device now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to location markers and more particularly to light weight plastic markers suitable, for marking guys or lines near air fields or for any other location marking that is required.

The present invention provides a location marker comprised at least in part of extruded and/or molded resilient members which affords a light weight inexpensive location marker extremely versatile in its uses which is easy to transport and store and which by affording an optical illusion of rotation will quickly attract attention at a substantial distance so its presence is easily and quickly noticed.

Still other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of several embodiments thereof which are illustrated by the accompanying drawings, and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a location marker of the type that is suitable for marking guys or lines and is shown secured on a line;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of a line marker shown installed on a line;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the marker of this invention for use in marking lines;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the end cap of thedevice of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of still another embodiment of the marker of this invention for use on marking lines;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the end cap of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of another typeend cap; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the cap of FIG. 17.

This invention contemplates a location marker which can be attached to guys or other lines around an airfield comprised of a plurality of curved tubular members and means for securing the members to the guy or line.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention adapted for use to mark electrical lines, guys or other lines is shown. This particular embodiment is par ticularly adapted for use on lines which are being installed. The device includes a pair of generally elliptical shaped plastic members 80 and 82. The members 80 and 82 engage each other and are joined preferably by heat sealing at two places 84 and 86. The members 80 and 82 are preferably made of brightly colored plastic tubes and it is particularly desirable, but not necessary, that the plastic be of an iridescent or fluorescent nature. At the places 84 and 86 where the members are heat sealed together, there are provided apertures 88 and 90, respectively. When the line on which the marking device is to be used is being installed, the line L is threaded through the two apertures 88 and 90. The apertures are formed with a diameter equal to the diameter of the line or just slightly larger so that when the line is disposed in the apertures a snug fit results but nevertheless one in which the device may rotate under the action of the wind or vibration in the line. The natural sag of the line will prevent any appreciable movement lengthwise of the device on the line but the rotational movement may take place.

Referring now to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the marking device suitable for use on lines is shown. This particular embodiment is adapted for installation on existing lines and is not restricted to use in initial construction when the lines are being secured. In this embodiment a pair of eliptically shaped plastic members 92 and 94 are provided which are similar to the members of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Again these plastic members preferably are formed of tubular plastic of bright colors and preferably either iridescent or fluorescent in nature. A straight central member 96 is provided, which is secured to the members 92 and 94 at its opposite ends by caps 97. This central member 96 is preferably made of a relatively rigid plastic material and may be either a solid rod or a hollow member. The device is clamped to the line by a clamping device which preferably takes the form of a helically preformed, resilient armor rod 98.. To secure the device to the line, the central member 96 is placed alongside of the line and the clamp rod 98 is wrapped around both the line L and the straight rigid central member 96, thus securing the marker device to the line. This type of clamping device will prevent longitudinal movement of the marking device on the line and also will limit any rotative or oscillating movement of the device on the line.

case of' the device of F IG; 1, this device is adapted for use on lines which are being installed. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 the marking device includes a pair of identical end caps 100, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 14. Each of the end caps 100 is provided with a plurality of spaced obliquely extending fingers 102, each finger having a reduced diameter end portion 104. A plurality of lengths of plastic tube members 106, are telescoped over the reduced end portions '104 and extend between and interconnect the end caps 100. The tubes 106 are preferably secured to the end caps 100 by some type of adhesive to make a semi-permanent connection, but nevertheless one which can be broken if necessary. Each of the end caps 100 is provided with a through central aperture 108. As the line L is being installed it is threaded through the apertures 108 and the marking device is then slid along the line to the desired position. If desired, some suitable form of a tie can be provided which is shown in the form of lashings to secure the end caps, and hence the marker device, in the selected position on the line. Since the line must be threaded through the apertures 108, this particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be utilized only on a new construction of lines.

Another embodiment of the marker device which can be used either on new line construction or on existing line construction, is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment a pair of end caps 100 are provided, each of which have fingers 102 with reduced end portions 104'. Tube members 106 extend between the end caps 100'. In this embodiment an elongated slot 109' is provided in each of the end caps so that the slots may be slid over the line L to be engaged thus permitting the device to be installed on existing wires as well as on new installation of wires. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 a central rigid support member 1 1 l is provided which extends between the end caps 100' and is secured to each of them. A helical preformed element 112, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, is provided in this embodiment to secure the device to the line.

It is to be understood that if desired the central member 111' can be omitted from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the device secured to the lines with lashings similar to those shown in FIG. 3. Conversely a central member similar to that shown at 111' in FIG. 5, can be provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 and a helical preformed element be used to secure the device to the line L as described.

It is preferred that the tube members be brightly and contrastingly colored so as to quickly attract and hold attention of the viewer.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 another embodiment 100" of the end caps which can be used in place of the end caps shown in either FIGS. 3 or 5 is shown. A marking device using these end caps can be used on either new line construction or can be installed on existing lines. In this embodiment a key-hole shaped slot 109" is provided. Unnumbered apertures are located on each side of the slot 109" through which a bolt 113" can be passed. A nut 114" is threadable on the bolt 113". When this type of end cap is used, the slots 109" on each cap are spread and the caps are pushed over the wire. The bolt is then inserted and the nut screwed on to tighten the cap firmly against the line. This obviates the need for a central rod. A split grommet may be used in the slot 109" to adapt this end cap for use on different sizes of lines.

The marking devices of FIGS. 1 through 8 are particularly adapted for marking power lines and guys in the vicinity of air fields to warn approaching pilots of the lines presence. However, the use of these devices is not so restricted and they can be used at any place where they can be secured to a support to provide visual warning to approaching traffic. The line markers provide an optical illusion of rotation to an approaching pilot, making the devices even more attractive, and attention-drawing. This feature is particularly desirable in wire marking in airport facilities for obvious reasons.

In the preferred embodiments tubes have been used to form the members since tubes are easy to manufacture and easy to secure to the base or to the central rod or the end caps. However, it is to be understood that these members can have other than tubular configuration. For example, they may be formed from rods, or they may be formed from flat ribbons of plastic or from any other desired shaped. Also, it is to be understood that for various applications the number of tubes used may vary. Usually there will be at least two tubes defining four circumferentially spaced members but as few as three members could be used and more than four also have been employed.

Having thus described the invention in several embodiments thereof, it is realized that numerous extensive departures may be made from the apparatus described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

l. A marking device comprising a plurality of spaced elongated interconnected members, at least two of which lie on non-common planes and defining a series of spaced visible elements, said interconnected members being of a pliant normally self supporting material capable of returning to the original position upon deformation, and means disposed to mount said members in a predetermined position relationship with respect to a support means to permit sighting through the configuration formed by said elements, said means to mount said members including means disposed to support said members in surrounding relationship with respect to a line wherein said line constitutes said support means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said members are generally elliptically shaped and are interconnected at two locations.

3. The device of claim I, wherein said members are defined by plastic tubular elements.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes means for journalling said members for rotation on said line. 1

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes apertures formed in said members and disposed to circumferentially engage said line.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a straight central member secured to said curved members and disposed to be positioned adjacent said line, and clamping means disposed to secure said straight member to said line.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said clamping means includes a helically preformed resilient armor rod disposed to wrappingly engage said-line and said straight central member.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein there are two curved members each generally elliptical in shape and interconnected at two locations.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said members are tubular elements and said means to support said members includes a pair of endcaps secured to said tubular elements at opposite ends thereof.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said end caps telescopingly engage said tubular elements.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein a central member extends between said end caps.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said mounting means include helically preformed armor rod means positioned to secure said central member to said line.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein said end caps include means to engage the line.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said means to engage the line includes slot means.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said means to engage the line includes aperture means. 

1. A marking device comprising a plurality of spaced elongated interconnected members, at least two of which lie on non-common planes and defining a series of spaced visible elements, said interconnected members being of a pliant normally self supporting material capable of returning to the original position upon deformation, and means disposed to mount said members in a predetermined position relationship with respect to a support means to permit sighting through the configuration formed by said elements, said means to mount said members including means disposed to support said members in surrounding relationship with respect to a line wherein said line constitutes said support means.
 2. The device of claim 1, wheRein said members are generally elliptically shaped and are interconnected at two locations.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said members are defined by plastic tubular elements.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes means for journalling said members for rotation on said line.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes apertures formed in said members and disposed to circumferentially engage said line.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a straight central member secured to said curved members and disposed to be positioned adjacent said line, and clamping means disposed to secure said straight member to said line.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said clamping means includes a helically preformed resilient armor rod disposed to wrappingly engage said line and said straight central member.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein there are two curved members each generally elliptical in shape and interconnected at two locations.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said members are tubular elements and said means to support said members includes a pair of end caps secured to said tubular elements at opposite ends thereof.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said end caps telescopingly engage said tubular elements.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein a central member extends between said end caps.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said mounting means include helically preformed armor rod means positioned to secure said central member to said line.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein said end caps include means to engage the line.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein said means to engage the line includes slot means.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein said means to engage the line includes aperture means. 